Has anyone else noticed ...

[TKingpin]

... that anytime we pass it to our TEs, that good things happen? Is there any good reason we don't target them more often? I would think we could target them at least 10 times per game, assuming that there are about 65 offensive plays to be had.

It just seems to me that we always pick up a first down or go for even more, as long as the pass is on target. Right now, it seems like we are targeting them only 4 or 5 times per game.

As long as I am at it: has anyone else noticed ... that we are getting out-played, out-hustled and don't seem to be as ready to play as our competitors in the first half?

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I agree with passing more to the TE. Really like what hock and fant bring to the table.

 

[Dauminator]

... that anytime we pass it to our TEs, that good things happen? Is there any good reason we don't target them more often? I would think we could target them at least 10 times per game, assuming that there are about 65 offensive plays to be had.

It just seems to me that we always pick up a first down or go for even more, as long as the pass is on target. Right now, it seems like we are targeting them only 4 or 5 times per game.

As long as I am at it: has anyone else noticed ... that we are getting out-played, out-hustled and don't seem to be as ready to play as our competitors in the first half?

I don't think you're alone in those observations. I said on the drive in that I'd like to see Hockenson more involved. He brings better balance to the position in being capable in both blocking and catching. I might even put Fant out wide with Hock at TE. Lo and behold, Hock gets two big first downs in that game.

I actually think one reason the TEs don't catch more is that no one is really catching a ton. Stanley's distributing so well that everyone's getting some love.

 

[Fan In Black]

If we notice it then DCs notice it too.

 

[Ralphio]

Plays to the TE are often set up because other parts of the offense are working. If you try to force it too much defenses will just make adjustments. It's kind of like what we're seeing with Wadley this year. Being the feature back hasn't necessarily improved his production because defenses are clearly keying on him. That being said, I agree these two young TEs seem like real weapons and both could become stars.

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

The most effective tight ends are able to get open more often via a read or finding the open spots in a zone. It's not an easy thing for the TE and QB to get on the same page with in a game situation and is obviously a disaster when they're not. I think we're starting to see that come together if this past week is any indication. This is true for even the best combos, it takes them a while to gel with those sort of plays.

Proof:
Dallas Clark 2002 Game Log
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dallas-clark-1/gamelog/2002/

Notice the one game missing, where he had 0 catches.

 

[nu2u]

As long as I am at it: has anyone else noticed ... that we are getting out-played, out-hustled and don't seem to be as ready to play as our competitors in the first half?

Your suspicions have some validity IMO. Iowa has definitely not been sharp on offense to start games so far this season and the stats seem to bear that out:

~ Iowa has failed to score 1stQ points in 3 of its first 6 games (vs. Wyoming, PSU, MSU).

~ Iowa has gotten behind right away - all 6 of Iowa's 2017 opponents have scored first. I can't recall another recent season where this has happened.

~ The most damaging slow start was at MSU where Iowa trailed 14-0 after the1stQ and ended up losing despite limiting MSU to 3 points thereafter, including surrendering 0 points the entire 2nd half.

~ Except for Illinois, Iowa has not had a first Q lead in any contest.

~ Iowa has won every game where it led at Halftime and lost both games where the opponent led at Half.

Hawkeyes need to come out focused on getting points on the board early. The defense has definitely carried most of the load through the first half of the season.

 

[wedomn8]

~ Iowa has won every game where it led at Halftime and lost both games where the opponent led at Half.

.

Didn't we lead 7-5 at half against PSU?

 

[ichawk24]

Yes, we did lead against PSU, good catch. Still amazing how we're falling behind in every single game.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

... that anytime we pass it to our TEs, that good things happen? Is there any good reason we don't target them more often? I would think we could target them at least 10 times per game, assuming that there are about 65 offensive plays to be had.

It just seems to me that we always pick up a first down or go for even more, as long as the pass is on target. Right now, it seems like we are targeting them only 4 or 5 times per game.

As long as I am at it: has anyone else noticed ... that we are getting out-played, out-hustled and don't seem to be as ready to play as our competitors in the first half?

Count the targets ... we've been targeting the TEs with decent frequency. It's just that not all of those targets have led to receptions. Sometimes Stanley has been forced into errant throws ... sometimes the TE has been covered ... and sometimes the ball has gotten dropped. All the same, at this juncture during the season ... Iowa still has well above average TE production. Right now TEs have accounted for 367 yards and 4 TDs (61 ypg and .667 TDs per game). Back in 2015 ... a season when we also used the TEs a lot ... we had 705 yards and 7 TDs (50 ypg and 0.5 TDs per game).

 

[JBO 7]

Yes and also gives the DC more to consider than run focus & WRs

 

[nu2u]

Didn't we lead 7-5 at half against PSU?

Yep, my bad. But here is another example where a more potent offense might have created some early momentum at home to form a better cushion for its defense against a high powered offense. In fairness though, even though they don't get much recognition, Penn State's defense is pretty damn good also.

 

[93hawkeye]

I don't know what the percentage is on completions/target to Fant, but it can't be very good. Those are passes to a tight end that yield nothing.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Yes, we did lead against PSU, good catch. Still amazing how we're falling behind in every single game.

I think the opposing team has scored first every single game. Not a good stat.

 

[nitewing]

Yes, we did lead against PSU, good catch. Still amazing how we're falling behind in every single game.

Iowa lead 14-10 vs Illinois. here is the break down
WR Easley 27 catches 281 yards and 4 TD's
RB Wadley 15 catches 258 yards and 3 TD's
TE Fant 13 catches 201 yards and 3 TD's
WR VandeBerg 15 catches and 2 TD's
TE Hochenson 10 catches and 1 TD
WR Smith-Marsette 8 catches and 2 TD's
Stanley has completed 97 passes and to date 12 different players have caught at least 1 pass, including TE Pekar and DE Epenesa. that's called spreading the ball around to keep teams from dbl teaming 1 WR, the last 6 game will be interesting.

 

[HawkNole09]

Really great balance.

Now if we just hit 25% of the long balls this second half.

And we're doing this without a 100% healthy Meetkat.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

(Kilroy they are saying everyone else has scored first not who is leading at half)

 

[nitewing]

(Kilroy they are saying everyone else has scored first not who is leading at half)

who cares about who scores 1st its about who leads at the end of the game. Iowa is 4-2 after facing 2 of the toughest teams to date and ISU is looking better each week.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Iowa lead 14-10 vs Illinois. here is the break down
WR Easley 27 catches 281 yards and 4 TD's
RB Wadley 15 catches 258 yards and 3 TD's
TE Fant 13 catches 201 yards and 3 TD's
WR VandeBerg 15 catches and 2 TD's
TE Hochenson 10 catches and 1 TD
WR Smith-Marsette 8 catches and 2 TD's
Stanley has completed 97 passes and to date 12 different players have caught at least 1 pass, including TE Pekar and DE Epenesa. that's called spreading the ball around to keep teams from dbl teaming 1 WR, the last 6 game will be interesting.

Stanley wasn't the QB on the trick play to AJ. That was a fake punt. Surprised KF hasn't shown a 4th down offensive play, only to punt if the first down can't be made.

 

[TKingpin]

Seems to me that when we have these "3rd and 4" up to "3rd and 7" that the TE should be targeted more often. I don't have the stats, but it would be nice to know that of all the catches by the TEs (including the one by Pekar), how many went for first downs (or a TD). I can't recall any of them that didn't go for at least a first down.

I would NOT include the TE sweeps in this stat.

 

[nitewing]

Stanley wasn't the QB on the trick play to AJ. That was a fake punt. Surprised KF hasn't shown a 4th down offensive play, only to punt if the first down can't be made.

the point still stands that DE Epenesa was used in a pass route fake punt or not, if he is in the game on offense the defense still have take into consideration that he may be a TE.

 

[ichawk24]

who cares about who scores 1st its about who leads at the end of the game.

I bet Kirk Ferentz would prefer to score first.

 

[hexumhawk]

We have done REALLY well out of the 2 TE sets with Fant and Hok. It will be ingesting to see how that develops